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Super Bowl 2014: 10 preposterous prop bets

Richard Sherman, Peyton Manning

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (left) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning are among the frontrunners to be named most valuable player of tonight's Super Bowl. But who will the MVP thank first? (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

So if you love the idea of making a little wager on the big game but don't know the first thing about tonight's showdown between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks, the fine folks in Nevada have you covered with a marvelous invention called the prop bet.

Is the only Bronco you know made by Ford? No problem. Vegas takes action on which team wins the pregame coin toss.

Can't tell the difference between the Legion of Boom and the Legion of Doom? Your bookie won't mind. Just hazard a guess as to what color Gatorade the winning coach will be doused with after the game.

Vegas sportsbooks now include hundreds of novelty bets for the Super Bowl, many of which have absolutely nothing to do with the game itself. So while some bettors at your Super Bowl viewing party are obsessing over the spread (yawn), you'll be counting how many times the announcers say "Beast Mode" and using your smartphone to time the national anthem.

Here's a look at 10 of the most ridiculous Super Bowl prop bets being offered by Bovada for tonight's big game:

1. If Renée Fleming wears gloves when she starts singing the national anthem, what color will they be?

Advice: Having never been to the opera, I'm not remotely qualified to predict the glove color preference of a celebrated soprano. My only point of reference on this one is that scene in "Pretty Woman" where Richard Gere takes Julia Roberts to the opera and she almost pees her pants. Julia wore white gloves, and Julia wouldn't lead me astray. Go ahead and put your money on white (but if I'm wrong, please direct all angry e-mails to Julia Roberts).

2. Will Knowshon Moreno cry during the singing of the national anthem?

Yes (+135)

No (-175)

Advice: This guy must be half-sprinkler. I mean, I've seen water main breaks that produced less fluid. That said, I expect Moreno to succumb to performance anxiety here. Knowing that millions of people are watching intently to see if you cry kinda spoils the mood.

3. How many times will Eli Manning be shown on TV during the game?

Over 1 1/2 (-200)

Under 1 1/2 (+150)

Advice: Over. Way over. If Peyton Manning leads the Broncos to a win over the Seahawks, he'll tie little brother Eli with two Super Bowl titles. That storyline alone is worth at least a couple shots of Eli hanging out in a luxury suite. And if DirectTV runs a follow-up to "Football on your Phone," this one won't even be close.

4. Who will be seen first on TV after kickoff?

Erin Andrews (-140)

Pam Oliver (EVEN)

Advice: Which one would you put on camera first? Yep. Me, too. Just sayin'.

Advice: They don't call Seahawks fans the "12th Man" for nothing. Besides, I haven't checked the forecast, but I'm sure it'll be raining in Seattle tonight. What else is there to do but sit in and watch TV?

9. What will be higher?

Peyton Manning passing attempts in Super Bowl XLVIII (-325)

John Elway completions and attempts in Super Bowl XXXII (+250)

Advice: Elway had just 34 combined completions and attempts in Super Bowl XXXII. In 18 games this season, Manning attempted fewer than 34 passes just once. Unless Manning retires before kickoff, Elway's got no shot.

10. Who will the Super Bowl MVP mention first in his speech?

Teammates (1/1)

God (3/1)

Fans (11/2)

Other team or player on other team (10/1)

Family (12/1)

Coach (14/1)

Owner (25/1)

None of the above (9/2)

Advice: Well, first you have to ask yourself who you think will be named MVP. Seattle's Richard Sherman, for example, is more likely to give props to L.O.B. than G-O-D. Peyton "Aw Shucks" Manning, on the other hand, would probably start with kudos for his teammates. I'm going to go with my gut and say Sherman takes the honor, which means my money is going on "other team or player on other team" since Sherman's top priority will be to diss whichever "sorry receiver" he ends up covering tonight.